Traditional Namibian Appelflappen Recipe – Sweet Apple Pastries with a Local Twist

Ah, appelflappen! These are a classic Dutch treat, especially popular around the holiday season. They’re essentially fried or baked pastries filled with sweet apple filling, often spiced with cinnamon and sometimes raisins.

The flavors are warm, sweet, and slightly tart from the apple, with the cinnamon giving it that cozy holiday feel. They’re perfect with a cup of coffee or tea—or just on their own as a little indulgent snack.

Delicious Appelflappen Recipe

Ingredients (makes 8–10)

2 large apples (Granny Smith or local Namibian varieties)

2 tbsp sugar or 1–2 tbsp Namibian sugarbush honey

1 tsp cinnamon

A small handful of raisins (optional)

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Oil or butter for frying

Powdered sugar or a drizzle of marula syrup

Dutch heritage influence: Namibia’s culinary history carries strong Dutch and Afrikaans influences. Namibians often add their own twist, like using local honey, marula syrup, or tropical fruits, which gives appelflappen a familiar yet distinctly Namibian flavor.

Instructions

Prepare the filling:
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into small cubes.
- Mix with sugar (or honey), cinnamon, and raisins if using.
Prepare the pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut into squares (about 10×10 cm).
Assemble:
- Place a spoonful of apple mixture in the center of each square.
- Fold into a triangle and seal edges with a fork.
- Brush with beaten egg.
Cook:
- Fry: Heat oil or butter and fry until golden on both sides.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F) and bake 15–20 minutes until golden.

Finish: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle lightly with marula syrup.

This gives traditional Dutch appelflappen a Namibian twist with local flavors that make them uniquely festive.

The origin of this sweet treat:

Appelflappen have their roots in the Netherlands. The name literally means “apple flaps” in Dutch, referring to the folded pastry that encloses a sweet apple filling. These pastries are traditionally made during festive seasons, especially around Sinterklaas (early December) and Christmas, when Dutch households fill their kitchens with the warm aroma of apples, cinnamon, and sugar.

The concept comes from European apple-filled pastries, similar to turnovers, that were popularized in Dutch cuisine and spread to South Africa and Namibia through Dutch settlers. Over time, local variations emerged, sometimes using tropical fruits, local sweeteners like honey, or different spices.

Also try our Apple Pie Recipe >>>

With love

Anna C

Looking for a YouTube short? Why not try this easy version of @The_Twistedchef.